Boy am I glad I escaped Texas. If you're from TX, this is your CW: you will not like what I...

I grew up in OH, and went to college nearby in OH.

When I applied to graduate schools, I wanted more warmth, so applied to warmer places. I also was influenced by my college professors. My advisor went to the U of TX at Austin, so I applied there. Another professor had a recent student who was at Rice, so I applied there. I applied to the U of AZ in Tucson, someplace hot, and the U of UT (I do not recall where it is, maybe Salt Lake City), because Utah is scenic. Lastly, I applied the the U of VA in Charlottesville, to be closer to home and still near green trees.

Rice accepted me and flew me out to see it. That was nice of them. But it was very urban and I was a little scared of such a big change. I never got out to Austin or Utah, but I got accepted both places. Arizona flew me out, with a bunch of others, for a little math conference, and to interview us, etc. Tucson was a neat place. Yet also urban. I got sunburned! The sidewalks were so clean.

I ended up going to UVA since I still liked the Eastern Woodlands. But it could be moldy. Lots of buildings were old. The gardens were nice. After, I hopped a little north to the DC area for work, and have been there ever since.

I took a vacation once, where I drove to NM from MD, and had to cross the panhandle of TX. Wide open, treeless, and dry! In another vacation, I drove to WY then south into UT. I drove across a desert. Yet it rained, LOL! In another vacation, I flew to Phoenix, then drove to the Grand Canyon. Phoenix was 102 degrees but I did not pass out. The Canyon rim was cooler. So pretty!

During the pandemic we worked from home (in the DC area), yet some new people were allowed to work from anywhere rather than move to DC. After the pandemic they allowed anybody to work from home from anywhere in the lower 48. Someday I may move. I have already started researching warm places in the Southwest.

I also have contemplated going to Phoenix for a winter vacation, from time to time. Not sure what to do though, other than look at the desert and be warm.

nonsensiclesnail · F

My nephew has spent the last 6 months there and he cant wait to leave. Really neat, fun guy who cant relate to Texas people. Kind, generous and forgiving doesn’t seem to be very Texan at all.

That being said, i loved Austin. I could live there.

Threepio

Please tell us how you really feel..............................

LOL

PS: Many years ago I stopped for lunch at a place outside of Del Rio. Even though I was riding a Harley I didn't expect any trouble because I had a proper military haircut and demeanor. There were 4 of us in the joint, two of Texas' finest cowboys, the waitress and me. For the next 30 minutes the waitress and these two talked in great detail about a dead cow that had "the bloat". The conversation kind of ruined the chili.